Word Origin & History

ascertain early 15c., "to inform, to give assurance," from O.Fr. acertener "to assure" (13c.), from a "to" + certain "certain" (see certain). Modern meaning of "to find out for sure by experiment or investigation" is first attested 1794.

Example Sentences for ascertain

All efforts to ascertain your fate proved utterly fruitless.

We did not ascertain this last fact, however, for some time.

There was a thick fog, so that it was impossible to ascertain what advantage had been gained.

Is it to ascertain this point that you have done me the honour to visit me?

They appraised me in their own minds, I saw, and were curious to ascertain what my full value was.

Mouldings are often the surest guides in helping us to ascertain the date of a building.

Then it is my business to ascertain, if I can, how it did get out of it.

Why they were planted in churchyards it is difficult to ascertain.

I have just looked at myself in the glass to ascertain the fact, and I do not know how to decide.